Fr La’s weekly ‘Pause and Ponder’ from along the Pilgrim Path at Lough Derg. This week’s reflection is called ‘Midwinter Holly’.

Perhaps it’s the shiny leaves catching the mid-winter sun,

or It may be that Christmas is near,

but today the holly is claiming my attention.

Here beside the path, or silhouetted there against the water,

alone, almost lost in the undergrowth,

or finding support in a brave little group,

or even forcing its way up through the competition –  

this hardy little native tree refuses to give up.

The lovely bright red berries are scarce this year –

not one can I see along the path.

But I find them and the thorny leaves there at the Crib,

with a blood-red promise that Emmanuel will still be with us

in every challenge that may lie ahead.

Fr La Flynn, Prior

21 Dec 2020